The Kingdom of God is where God's reign is acknowledged by all. It is found at the moment (guess where?) in the Church which is the kernal of the Kingdom, its presence in the world. The Kingdom, like the Church, is in the world, but not of the world. Since the Incarnation God has been drawing a people to himself, building up His very Kingdom. At some point in history those who are without the Kingdom will be cast away and all that will be is the Kingdom.
2) How does the Christian concept of asceticism differ from that of Gnosticism?
On a Monday morning you ask this? This is a little over my head I would have to look up exactly what is meant by either. Can you narrow this down?
SD
asceticism differ from that of Gnosticism?,/P>
In practice probably not much. But is justification the diference is that gnostics believe flesh is evil in and of itself and only through discipline and denial can one gain knowledge. The ascetics does not hold flesh evil and uses discipling to focus the mind (as a tool) to better understand truth without physical needs or distractions getting in the way.